Sarasota Florida Legacy Trail Guide * Sarasota To Venice


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The Sarasota Legacy Biking, Hiking & Running Trail

Sarasota County's largest public recreation project ever constructed.
The Sarasota Legacy Trail is over 10 miles in length following the former CSX railroad corridor.

The Sarasota Legacy Biking, Hiking & Running Trail - from Sarasota to Venice Florida. The trail starts just off of McIntosh Road at Palmer Ranch Parkway and ends at the Venice Train Depo. There are over a dozen areas to stop and rest, many under shaded roof. The rest areas include seven trailheads which also offer access points to the trail. All trailheads have parking, restrooms, water fountains and shelters. The Sarasota Legacy Trail is open from dawn to dusk. Bring plenty of water.

Potter Park (Via the Stoneybrook trail, which is on Central Sarasota Parkway)
Bay Street Park and Oscar Scherer State Park in Osprey (1/2 mile east of U.S. 41 in Osprey)
Laurel Park in Laurel (East of U.S. Highway 41 on Collins Road)
Nokomis Park in Nokomis
Patriots Park at Roberts Bay (U.S. 41 and U.S. 41 Bypass intersection)
Venice Train Depot. (At Rollins W. Coakley Railroad Park. Just west of U.S. 41 Bypass off Venice Avenue.)

The Legacy Trail is fairly flat and relatively straight with a few small bumps and turns. At the Southern end, at Venice Road you will find a beautifully restored train station and a very nice, peaceful park. While there, keep you eye out for the Venetian Waterway Trail.

This helicopter fly-over video was originally made for Sarasota County emergency vehicles to see the trail and all the ways to get in to the trail.

A few recent comments about the trail:

"...trail was really good to have the finished bridges to go on !!! kudos to the county for making this happen. Now you can ride really over 20 miles one way on the waterway of Venice to make it really a longer trip. If you plan this, be sure to bring 2 water bottles but you can fill up at stores that are at south end / save-alot/sweetbay/mcdonalds/even a subway shop - get a bite then head over to the train depot to enjoy your lunch!"

"Love this trail. Plenty of wildlife and scenery, with very few traffic crossings. It connects to the Venetian Waterway for even more riding fun!"

"I like the ride for all the wildlife that I have been seeing near the State park on the trail such as lots of birds/ turtles/ snakes/ rabbits/ raccoons/ even a cougar. Plenty of resting area with sitting benches some with shade."

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